Monthly Archives: January 2011

The two sheep that live in the field outside our kitchen door have taken on the role of Big Issue sellers in my psyche. I feel guilty if I pass by without giving them something, and enjoy a glow of … Continue reading →

The organic flour and free range eggs, purchased from Mme Roustand, made wonderful pastry for yet another tarte au citron. However, I still can’t find a really shallow tart tin, with or without a crimped edge, to make my ideal … Continue reading →

The fields are alive with the mooing and bleating of herbivores, plus a few oinks from the porky omnivores. Unusually for me, I am the one that is red in tooth and claw, as my butchers’ knives slide easily through the several … Continue reading →

This is a slice of the chicken and leek pie that I made last night. The pastry is really short being 50% butter/lard. The leeks are softened, with finely sliced onions, in butter. A tablespoon of flour is shaken over … Continue reading →

The golden roasted chicken, followed by meringues and red fruit needed to be complimented by more than the good Cotes de Rhone that had accompanied it. The sun was starting to sink into the Atlantic ocean to our west. The … Continue reading →

Last night I beat together two egg whites and 110gms of unrefined brown sugar. This morning I opened the oven to find a tray of miraculous meringues – both crisp and sticky. It’s not rocket science but it gets me … Continue reading →

I love everything about this dessert. The Kirsch, and the ample sprinkling of icing sugar, transform already delicious pineapple into a heady mouthful. This is simple bistrot food at its best. Tasting good and looking good at the same time, … Continue reading →

The grey light of the morning, and the dark end of our kitchen, did not prevent these slender leeks, that I bought yesterday from Mme Roustand, from looking like some Jim Dine drawings that I remember from the 70’s. Admittedly … Continue reading →

This is the redoubtable Mme Roustand who sells the most wonderful “bio” produce. Her tiny shop, situated next to the sitting room in her farm house, only sells super things. She doesn’t hang a sign defining her wares as “Super”, … Continue reading →